2000 Alero GLS coupe
3.4 L V6
100K+ miles

Replacing head gaskets. DVD service manual (circa 2005) says to apply sealant to new head bolts.

FelPro says their shop manual (circa 2017) does not call for sealant.

Aren't these head bolt holes blind ones?

Is sealant needed or not?

If no sealant required, should oil be applied to bolt threads and bolt heads prior to tightening to 44 pound-feet plus 95 degrees?

Most of the time, new head bolts already have sealant on them. If your bolts protrude into the water jacket, they will need to be sealed.

I never used sealer.......sealant can affect the torque of the bolt......

First are you using new cylinder head bolts? You should be.....

I would always run a thread chaser into the hole, to make sure the threads were ok, and then I would blow out the hole with an air gun....

I would take the bolts and dip the threads in oil, and then lie the bolts on a rag, and allow the excessive oil to drain off into the rag......the oil will cling to the the grooves of the bolt.....when you lift a bolt up, there should be nothing dripping from the bolt....if there is wipe off.....then torque, in the correct order.....

Thanks for your advice.

Yes, I'm using new head bolts.

The DVD service manual instructions for later model years of this engine (Alero and Grand Am) do not call for sealant on the head bolts, nor do the instructions call for a lubricant of any kind.

That makes me wonder if the original 2000 service manual instructions calling for sealant application were incorrect.